Find out how popular the first name Giavanni has been for the last 33 years (from 1991 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Giavanni by gender

Based on the last 33 years of data, Giavanni is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 72% of people named Giavanni being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 19 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Giavanni.

The history of the first name Giavanni

The given name Giavanni has its origins in the Italian language and dates back to the medieval period. It is a variant spelling of the more common Italian name Giovanni, which is derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious."

During the Middle Ages, the name Giavanni was primarily used in regions of Italy, particularly in the northern and central parts of the country. It gained popularity among Catholic families as a way to honor Saint John the Baptist, who played a significant role in Christian tradition.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Giavanni can be found in the 13th-century literary work "Divina Commedia" (The Divine Comedy) by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri. In this epic poem, Dante mentions a character named Giavanni Gualberto, who was a real-life figure and the founder of the Vallumbrosan monastic order.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Giavanni. One prominent figure was Giavanni Boccaccio (1313-1375), an Italian writer best known for his masterpiece "The Decameron," a collection of novellas that provided a unique glimpse into the social and cultural landscape of 14th-century Italy.

Another famous bearer of the name was Giavanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), an Italian Renaissance composer widely regarded as the greatest master of the polyphonic style of music composition. His works, particularly his sacred music, had a profound influence on the development of Western classical music.

In the field of art, Giavanni Bellini (1430-1516) was a celebrated Venetian Renaissance painter known for his groundbreaking contributions to the development of Venetian painting. His works, such as the iconic "Pieta" and "The Feast of the Gods," are considered masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance period.

Giavanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) was an Italian artist renowned for his etchings of ancient Roman ruins and architectural fantasies. His intricate and detailed prints had a significant impact on the neoclassical and romantic movements in art and architecture.

Finally, Giavanni Verga (1840-1922) was an influential Italian writer and one of the leading figures of the verismo literary movement. His novels and short stories, such as "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "Mastro Don Gesualdo," provided a realistic and poignant portrayal of the struggles and hardships faced by the rural working class in Sicily.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Giavanni was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Giavanni, please contact us.

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